The Rays and the Initiations - Part Two - Section One - The Aspirant
and the Mysteries of Initiation

The Bridge as the Agent of Alignment

The
word "alignment" is used much in modern esoteric training. I would point out
that in making his alignment, the aspirant is only establishing the first stage of his
process of realization; he is establishing in his own consciousness the fact of his
essential dualism. Iwould also point out that the critical aspect of this
process is only arrived at when the distinction is sharply defined and recognized between
the integrated and potent personality and the soul. It is an occult truism to state that
the aspirant is to be recognized by or triplicity; the disciple by or
recognized duality and the initiate by or unity. Note that the symbol of
duality for undeveloped humanity is in which the separation of the higher nature from
the lower is depicted; in the case of the disciple, it is showing the "path
across" or the [471] narrow razor-edged Path between the pairs of opposites, forming
later the antahkarana. These symbols, simple as they are, embody and convey vast truths to
the illumined mind.

Relatively
speaking, and speaking in terms of the mental consciousness, the realization of duality is
only to be found in the three worlds and on the mental plane. When the third initiation is
taken, the power of the lower pair of opposites is no longer felt and exists no more. A
liberated consciousness and an unrestricted awareness - unrestricted as regards the
initiate, moving within the orbit of the planetary Logos (though not unrestricted as
regards that greater Life which moves within still other and greater defined limits) - are
both understood and expressed. Within the planetary ring-pass-not the initiate moves with
freedom and knows no limitation in consciousness. That is why the higher levels of our
planetary and systemic planes are called formless. It is this which is the true symbol of
alignment, involving as it does the sense of duality but indicating at the same time the
way through what are called "the walls of limitation."

Students would do well to consider the building of the antahkarana as an extension
in consciousness. This extension is the first definite effort made upon the Path to
bring in the monadic influence with full awareness, and finally directly. This process
constitutes the individual parallel to the present inflow of force from Shamballa, about
which I have elsewhere spoken. That highest Center of energy upon our planet is now having
a definite effect upon that center which we call Humanity. This is brought about by direct
alignment, and not via the Hierarchy as has hitherto been the case. When the individual
antahkarana has been successfully started, and there is even a tenuous thread of living
energy connecting the threefold personality and the Spiritual Triad, then the inflow of
the will-energy becomes possible. This, in the early stages, can be most dangerous when
not offset by the love energy of the soul. Only one thread of the threefold antahkarana
passes through the egoic lotus. [472]

The other
two threads relate themselves directly with the Triad, and hence eventually with the
Monad, the source of the triadal life. This is true of the individual and of humanity as a
whole, and the effects of this alignment can be seen demonstrating in the world at this
time.